Uruguay is a country located in southern South America, bordered by Brazil and Argentina, with a population of approximately 3,432,000 people. Approximately half of its residents live in the capital and largest city of Montevideo. Uruguay is the second smallest independent country in South America, and is one of the most stable. The landscape of Uruguay has rolling plans and low hills, with fertile lowlands ideal for cattle and sheep raising. The climate is fairly warm--freezing temperatures are very rare. Many well-known writers have come from Uruguay. Uruguay is distinguished by its high literacy rate (98 percent), large urban middle class, and relatively even income distribution. Many citizens have emigrated in the past 20 years. With the low birth rate, high life expectancy and high rate of emigration of younger people; the population is mature.